Framed Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Framed Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 1, 2017

After 1973’s “Walking Tall,” actor Joe Don Baker became the king of the drive-ins, finding his natural way with intimidation a perfect fit with audiences looking for something more American in their big screen heroes. Reuniting with director Phil Karlson, Baker tries a similar approach for 1975’s “Framed,” which once again pits the beefy performer against the worst enemies Tennessee has to offer, taking control of a revenge story that tries to inflate itself up as some type of grand mystery, but it really exists as B-movie entertainment, sticking with a steady diet of chases and brawling to please viewers.

Baker portrays bar owner Ron, who, after a particularly profitable trip to play backroom cards, is framed as a mystery gunman in an interstate crime. The cops, lawyers, and politicians all want him in prison, giving him four years to work up a sufficient intensity to power a path of revenge. Baker is made for a role like this, which plays to his strengths of hard fists and long glares, keeping Ron irritable as he’s subjected to prison humiliations and alliances before release provides him with a chance to even the score. Also involved in the mess his Ron’s girlfriend, Susan (Conny Van Dyke), who, because it’s the 1970s, is raped to keep her quiet, and there’s a friendly cop in Sam (Brock Peters) to provide a buddy for the ride.

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

What's immediately striking about the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Framed" is how bright it is. Not refreshed in full, but bright and clear, working with a tattered, aged source that maintains a steady rain of speckling throughout the viewing experience. Detail is comfortable but not remarkable, handling Baker's meaty features well, also providing a view of interiors and outdoor expanse. Texture is welcome with green felt on poker tables, and prison cells retain their filthy appearance. Colors are encouraged, with bold reds and blues, and greenery is preserved. Skintones are natural.

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't especially problematic, but it's not inherently impressive or even professional at times, often recording voices in concrete rooms or keeping microphones far away from the actors. It's bizarre but that's low-budget filmmaking. When the production actually manages to capture a performance, the track reveals its age through sharp highs, but intelligibility isn't threatened, handling dialogue exchanges with decent volume and depth. Scoring delivers adequate instrumentation, supporting the action comfortably. Atmospherics sound very manufactured, but they are detected. Hiss is minimal.

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Framed" is based on a novel, and it would like to believe it's offering a twisty ride of double-crosses and shadowy scheming, but it's really a thick slice of junk food cinema, handling action requirements while keeping Baker punching, kicking, and yowling. It's an entertaining picture, but it's not especially strong from any type of dramatic standpoint, built as more of a blunt instrument than sophisticated thriller.